"Boundary, that's a climb," said a local when I told him I'd just done this loop. The climb get's serious right out of the gate and stays consistently steep. Even though the switchbacks and gradient are engineered well, the volume of climbing and kick-ups on sandy soil will likely have you off your bike a few times. The reward is quick elevation gain, views, and an impending long downhill.
The ride here is characterized by some high alpine wilderness style riding without breaching the "real" wilderness distinction implemented in August 2015. Much of the trail is either on the new boundary or just outside of it. However, the name doesn't come from the wilderness boundary, but I believe the forest service boundary. The descending up high is technical with some rugged rocky drops and several stream crossings. You cruise by a few lakes and then it opens into a drop down through the burnt terrain. Eventually you work into the idyllic meadow. From there you have a gradual climb up to connect to the Fisher Creek - Williams Creek Loop to finish it out in high style. In the end, you'll feel like you've done it all.
Getting There
Shown here the loop starts at Williams Creek Trailhead parking which is wide open and easy to get to off the highway south of Stanley. Alternately, a car can be shuttled to the Boundary Creek Trailhead. There are 3-4 primitive camping spots on the short road up the to the Boundary Trailhead.
Trail Notes
- 0.0mi. Williams Creek Trailhead. Start by heading north on the highway toward Stanley.
- 4.9 Right turn onto the road signed Boundary Creek.
- 5.6 Arrive at trailhead.
- 8.4 Intersection with Little Casino Trail. Turn right.
- 9.6 After a steep hike-a-bike the climb tops out at the high point of 9,522' in a beautiful saddle.
- 10.6 Four-way intersection with Big Casino. Turn right.
- 16.2 Arrive at The Meadows at Warm Springs. The trail has some significant stream crossings and marshy areas in the meadow so try to follow some tracks on what others have done.
- 17.2 Arrive at the Warm Springs Trail intersection. Go straight (right) to go into a canyon.
- 19.5 Intersection with Fisher Creek and Williams Creek Loop. Go right.
- 26.4 Arrive back at Williams Creek Trailhead.